another way of looking at it: realizing oil wealth is unsustainable and spending the cushion now to make the transition on their own terms instead of being forced to by climate uncertainty (annual record breaking fires, hurricanes, etc.) or market uncertainty (stranded assets).

Ironic or not - I don't think you really mean they make up any lost tax on cars by selling oil - it's not like the oil sale increases by that virtue.

Looks that way. Of course oil is used in the production of plastics and other useful materials as well.

asphalt too

you mean by selling more oil?